Justice News

ALBUQUERQUE – Sampson Antonio, Jr., 25, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Crownpoint, N.M., was sentenced this afternoon to 30 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his involuntary manslaughter conviction. Antonio also was ordered to pay $4,077.05 in restitution to cover funeral costs for the victim.

Antonio was arrested in July 2012, on a criminal complaint charging him with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a 19-year-old Navajo woman in Mariano Lake, N.M., on April 21, 2012. Antonio subsequently was indicted and charged with driving a vehicle while intoxicated and running over the victim and causing her death.

On April 30, 2013, Antonio pled guilty to the indictment and admitted killing the victim on April 21, 2012, while driving under the influence of alcohol and driving recklessly.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle T. Nayback and David M. Adams, and was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.